There’s no other fabric on the planet quite like it. It’s luxurious, elegant yet practical and simple. It can be woven a hundred different ways and used from its rawest to most refined state.  Creating types such as Dupionni, Charmeuse, Crepe, Matka, Habotia and the mother of them all Silk Peau de Soie. Once revered by only Queens and Kings it’s now a staple in the textile home and fashion industry, available to anyone who wants it, and oh my goodness can it be gorgeous.

Embroidered silk.

A defining characteristic is weight. It can go from being transparent and as light as a feather to medium and super heavy. Weight is most often used to determine the use and application of the garment or item. Lightweight silks are used for bridal attire while medium is used for fashion and heavy weights are used in interior design. But innovative creatives often blur the lines of use and application creating true works of art for fashion and home.

 

Raw Silk Matka used in Interior Design.

 

Silk is a natural protein fibre, it works wonders for hair health.

For this reason, many women wrap their hair in silk while sleeping as it minimizes breakage. It’s often described as being the strongest natural fibre in the world. Other benefits of silk include:

• It keeps your skin moisturized.
• It can improve your sleep.
• Regulates body temperature keeping you warm in cold weather and cool in hot weather.
• It helps fight the symptoms of menopause.
• Known for its hypoallergenic properties, it is compatible with all skin types.
• Its dense woven structure prevents dust and mites from accumulating, protecting the wearer from allergens.
• Silk is naturally anti-fungal and antimicrobial.

Albumen is a naturally occurring chemical in silk, when worn it helps the skin’s metabolism speed up, causing dead skin cells to develop and repair at a much faster rate. The long-term use of silk over time will drastically improve the skin’s appearance, significantly slowing down the effects of aging. What a plus, you can wrap yourself in gorgeous fabric and stay young at the same time.

Bridal silks crepe and shantung.

Natural fabrics like silk can evoke feelings of being nurtured, calmness and worth because it’s, providing those emotions for you from the natural properties mother nature gave it. Because silk regulates body temperature it’s a great fabric choice for bed sheets and bedding.

 

Charmeuse Silk used for JCOS Pillowcases...

There’s no doubt 100% silk is a treasure; it has been for centuries. One of the drawbacks of people owning silk is the cost. In today’s society it is still viewed as being too expensive for clothing as well as home interior design. But here’s the thing, should some things not cost more because they are worth it and far above the average and mundane things, we use every day? Americans have been so conditioned from the convenience of being able to buy cheap fast disposable fashion and home goods made using synthetic fabrics that when it comes to owning true natural fibers, we just don’t know what we’re missing. 

... and JCOS silk Scrunchies.

Now that you know more about this beautiful and luxurious fabric, we hope you will add garments, accessories and home furnishings to your purchases and start enjoying all it has to offer in your life.

Article written by Patricia Davis

Owner of sntHOME and Silver Needle & Thread Custom Sewing
Creator of: Interior Design-Home Decorating & Lifestyle Event
Website:  https://www.snthome.com
Website: https://www.silverneedleandthread.com
LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricia-davis-53124435